Key Points

• Niger Delta leaders are urging Jonathan to shelve any 2027 ambition.

• Tompolo led a team that met him in Otuoke to make the appeal.

• Jonathan hasn’t confirmed or denied any presidential plans.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is facing growing pressure to abandon any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election and instead support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The move is being coordinated by influential figures from the Niger Delta, led by former militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

Tompolo visits Jonathan in Bayelsa

Tompolo visited Jonathan at his Otuoke residence in Bayelsa State on October 16.

He was accompanied by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, and the APC deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election, Joshua Maciver.

According to sources familiar with the meeting, the discussion was mainly political. Tompolo reportedly urged the former president to stay out of the 2027 race, explaining that the mood across the Niger Delta does not favour his return to power.

One source said, “It was a cordial meeting, but the purpose was clear. Tompolo advised Jonathan not to contest in 2027.

He told him that many people in the region now support President Tinubu’s re-election.”

Push for regional unity behind Tinubu

Tompolo, who leads the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, a grassroots group promoting Tinubu’s re-election, is said to have told Jonathan that running again could weaken unity in the Niger Delta.

He reportedly appealed to him to take a statesmanlike position and support Tinubu’s second-term campaign.

Another insider said Jonathan acknowledged the conversation and promised to reflect on it before making his position public.

Jonathan silent on political plans

After the meeting, Jonathan told reporters that Tompolo’s visit was to “review peace in the Niger Delta,” but he declined to discuss whether politics was part of their talks.

So far, the former president has made no public statement confirming or denying any 2027 ambition.

However, his recent meetings with political figures continue to fuel speculation about his next move.